Bellweather Rhapsody by Kate Racculia takes place in a run-down hotel in the Catskills. It once had its heyday, but now its only big event is hosting a statewide music festival weekend for high school students. Fifteen years ago, a bride shot her husband and hung herself on their wedding night in room 712. This event has haunted the hotel, the young girl who made the tragic discovery, and the concierge. Fifteen years to the day later, statewide gets turned upside down when a musician goes missing (or did she also hang herself in the same room) and a huge snowstorm blankets the hotel.
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well-defined. There is the very nasty music instructor, who tells all her students how worthless they are. The twin high school senior musicians, who are coming of age and worrying about their future. The true child prodigy, who is unfortunately daughter of the nasty music instructor. The young girl, now grown, who was traumatized when she discovered the gruesome scene at the hotel. The high school music teacher, who packs a gun. The troubled music conductor, whose piano career was ended with a tragic accident while in his prime. The concierge, who has almost become physically part of the hotel.
The book has tons of humor, references to the movie “The Shining”, some suspense and mystery (with a true surprise reveal towards the end), teen angst, and a cute service dog. What more could you ask for?
I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. I also loved Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts by Racculia.
